I think the concept here is very sweet, and the log was well done, but it's missing a lot of context on what exactly makes it anomalous. Is it just fabricating a new friend out of thin air or is it impersonating someone they actually knew? Do they remember it afterward? If so, what happens when they go to meet up, is there some entity waiting for them or is there just noone there? What happens when they try to call back? Is it the former friend's number, or if it is just manifesting a new friend and fake memories, does it pick up again after? And of course, such questions aren't the focus of the article, but not having any explanation completely takes me out of it, especially because a lot of possible answers would make it potentially noticeable to the people who experience the anomaly and thus become a threat to the veil.
Aside from that, it also has some awkward wording in a couple spots that could use some patching up. It's overall not a bad SCP, but it could've used some more revisions.
A bunch of the questions here are left intentionally vague, and that is mainly because I've left it up to the reader to discern what actually happens with the call. The main thing I wanted to do with the article though was show some good vibes, it's intentionally left short and vague, though I understand if that's not for everybody.
it also has some awkward wording in a couple spots that could use some patching up.
Any big examples I could fix up?
This is very cute, made me feel warm inside. I am confused on why this is classified as an anomaly in the first place though, and I don't think we're given any sort of clues regarding that.
This feels incomplete in that while the sentiments are nice, the transcript explicitly sets up a further escalation of plot events — meeting in person, discovering the entity, figuring out what they are — that makes it feel like unfinished business. The thing about getting a call from a friend and promising to make plans and then not is that it isn't a filling and warming event, it's a hollow and meaningless promise.
I think this would have benefitted from a concluding statement or denouement, even if it didn't show the actual meetup. I think stating that Harold Lee had a good time or they stated they had a great night out or something would've been fine. I think just ending it where it ends muddles the intended positive message.
I was a bit surprised to see this was supposed to be heartening. Given that this lonely soul is speaking to a facsimile, I couldn’t help but think of the crushing reality when they discover there was no authentic attempt to reach out. I’d thought it to be pretty bleak, and a bit hollow as it doesn’t go anywhere after that.
Knowing the actual intent, I think it missed the mark. I don’t know that faking reconciliation with a loved one could hit the same notes as 7008, which was a simple act of loving kindness. People and relationships come with a whole host of baggage and complications that don’t lend well to a quick fix like that.
ETA: actually, I think the easiest way to work out the negative implications would be to reframe how the anomaly operates. Perhaps it’s not the lonely person who is affected, but someone from their past. Mechanism would work like 7008, but it deposits something near old friends/loved ones/what-have-you that reminds them of the lonely person. Bit Hallmarky, but at least the conversation wouldn’t feel like it’s careening towards tragedy
I thought it was interesting how someone made a remix of a Series 8 entry while that series is still ongoing, and you made it interesting on its own.
I have the same questions as other commenters about whether the planned meeting in the call actually happened if the entity isn’t the actual person it’s acting as, but your answers to the others suggest the ambiguity is intentional. I do find it odd how the Foundation wouldn’t clarify whether or not the agent did, in fact, meet or attempt to meet his old friend later.
Yeah, gotta echo the rest of the comments. It just feels incomplete as a piece, and any question I could make just falls flat because the answers to those questions should be on the piece to like, make it flow properly.
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